On-board radiation sensing apparatus

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing on-board electromagnetic radiation sensing using beam splitting in a radiation sensing apparatus. The radiation sensing apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip including a plurality of light reflecting surfaces. The apparatuses can also include an image sensor including an imaging surface. The apparatuses can also include a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit can include a beamsplitter that includes a partially-reflective surface that is oblique to the imaging surface and the micro-mirror chip. The apparatuses can also include an enclosure configured to enclose at least the beamsplitter and a light source. The light source can be attached to a printed circuit board. Optionally, the enclosure can include an inner surface that has an angled reflective surface that is configured to reflect light from the light source in a direction towards the beamsplitter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus, comprising:
 an array of micro mirrors configured on a substrate; 
 an image sensor having an imaging surface arranged in parallel with the micro mirrors; and 
 a beamsplitter stacked between the micro mirrors and the imaging surface; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct a first portion of incoming lights towards the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the micro mirrors are operable to reflect the first portion of lights in angles representative of intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct, towards the imaging surface, a second portion of reflected lights from the micro mirrors; and 
 wherein the image sensor is configured to capture an image of the second portion of the reflected lights. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a device configured to direct the incoming lights into the beamsplitter. 
 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an enclosure configured to enclose at least the beamsplitter, the array of micro mirrors, and the image sensor, when mounted on a printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 the printed circuit board; and 
 a processor coupled to the image sensor to generate, from the image captured by the image sensor, a thermal image representative of a distribution of the intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a light source mounted on the printed circuit board and coupled to the device to generate the incoming lights. 
 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the device includes a prism. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the device is implemented at least in part via a reflective inner surface of the enclosure. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the beamsplitter has a top surface and a bottom surface; and the imaging surface is configured in alignment with the bottom surface. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the array of micro mirrors are configured in alignment with the top surface. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the light source includes a light emitting diode connected to a circuit of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the image sensor is a CMOS or CCD image sensor. 
     
     
       12. An apparatus, comprising:
 a printed circuit board; 
 an enclosure coupled to the printed circuit board to enclose a portion of the apparatus; 
 an array of micro mirrors; 
 an image sensor having an imaging surface arranged in parallel with the micro mirrors; 
 a light source mounted on the printed circuit board and enclosed within the enclosure; and 
 a light directing device coupled to the light source to generate incoming lights, the light directing device including a beamsplitter stacked between the micro mirrors and the imaging surface; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct a first portion of the incoming lights towards the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the micro mirrors are operable to reflect the first portion of lights in angles representative of intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct, towards the imaging surface, a second portion of reflected lights from the micro mirrors; and 
 wherein the image sensor is configured to capture an image of the second portion of the reflected lights. 
 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the light directing device includes a prism. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the light directing device includes a lens. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the light directing device is configured to use a reflective surface of the enclosure to change a direction of lights from the light source. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the image sensor includes a circuit configured to generate, from the image captured by the image sensor, a thermal image representative of a distribution of the intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors. 
     
     
       17. An apparatus, comprising:
 a printed circuit board; 
 an enclosure coupled to the printed circuit board to enclose a portion of the apparatus configured on the printed circuit board; 
 an array of micro mirrors; 
 an image sensor having an imaging surface arranged in parallel with the micro mirrors; and 
 a light system mounted on the printed circuit board and enclosed within the enclosure, the light system including a beamsplitter stacked between the micro mirrors and the imaging surface; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct a first portion of incoming lights towards the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the micro mirrors are operable to reflect the first portion of lights in angles representative of intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors; 
 wherein the beamsplitter is configured to direct, towards the imaging surface, a second portion of reflected lights from the micro mirrors; and 
 wherein the image sensor is configured to capture an image of the second portion of the reflected lights. 
 
     
     
       18. The apparatus of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a processor configured to generate, from the image captured by the image sensor, a thermal image representative of a distribution of the intensity of radiations absorbed by the micro mirrors. 
 
     
     
       19. The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the light system further comprises:
 a light source mounted on the printed circuit board and configured to generate the incoming light source. 
 
     
     
       20. The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the light system further comprises:
 a prism configured to direct lights from the light source to generate the incoming lights.